Boxing Column: Victor Ortiz is back

A snapped jaw kept “Vicious” Victor Ortiz away from the prize ring as time healed the fight injury. The former world champion then embarked on a dizzying adventure into the world of Hollywood television and motion pictures. Now he’s back to boxing.

“It’s been a crazy two years,” said Ortiz who shuffled some steps on “Dancing With The Stars” and then jetted to Bulgaria to participate in “Expendables 3” with Sylvester Stallone the past 19 months. “It was torture being away from boxing. I’m glad to be back.”

Ortiz has that kind of boyish charm and looks that appeal to female fans. Through the years he’s built a following that was boosted by his appearance on the reality TV dance show in 2012. The last time he was in the ring he lost to Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez at the Staples Center on June 2012.

“I believe everything happens for a reason. When my jaw snapped I took a break,” said Ortiz, who turns 27 a day after the fight. “Sylvester Stallone called me up and asked to be in his movie. He loves boxing.”

“Victor, Victor, Victor. He was kind of like the little class clown,” said Rousey, 26, about their experience together in Bulgaria. “We would run up these mountains in Bulgaria and he would run up next to me and yell ‘And still, the champion…’ I love this kid. He’s awesome. It was kind of cool to have that camaraderie.”

Brooklyn bound

The muscular Ortiz won’t be clowning when he faces tricky left-handed boxer Collazo in his neighborhood. He’s also not concerned about Collazo’s hometown advantage.

“If you’re unstoppable you’re going to be unstoppable no matter where. Here, or China, or New York,” Ortiz says.

Despite two consecutive losses against Lopez and before that to Floyd Mayweather, the boxing world anticipates something exciting when Ortiz returns to the boxing ring.

Stephen Espinoza, the vice president of sports programming for Showtime, said the boxing world has always shown interest whenever Ortiz steps in the boxing ring. He claims that Ortiz is “never boring” and has tremendous entertainment value.

Collazo cares less about the entertainment value. It’s his big chance to crack that invisible shield that surrounds the elite level of boxing.

“A victory over him and my future moves on,” said Collazo, 32, who lost to Shane Mosley in 2007. “Without a victory, my future does not.”

Ortiz’s new trainer is Danny Smith, who trained former world champions Fernando Vargas and Ishe Smith.

Ortiz seems anxious to not only fight Collazo, but test the rest of the welterweight division after watching a snippet of a welterweight fight on television during his sojourn.

“During the break I’d watch some welterweights and I’d be ‘dude lets change the channel,” said Ortiz who doesn’t mince words. “My jaw was snapped and for me it was like a heart ache to sit

there watching two guys I know I could beat.”

Ortiz has returned.

“The welterweight division is in trouble now,” claims Ortiz.

No TV for GGG

Undefeated powerhouse Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (28-0, 25 KOs) returns to defend the WBA and IBO middleweight world titles against Osumanu Adama (22-3, 16 KOs) on Saturday Feb. 1, in Monte Carlo. Sadly, for his fast-growing army of fans, the contest will not be televised.

“We did everything we could to have it televised,” said Tom Loeffler, promoter with K-2 Promotions that sponsors Golovkin. “It looked like HBO was going to be able to negotiate it with German television, but the venue is too small to accommodate the production equipment.”

Golovkin signed a deal with HBO that gives the network sole rights to broadcast the Big Bear Lake-based power-puncher.

“Everything is good I’ve been training well and I’m ready,” said Golovkin at his gym while helping UFC female champion Rousey and her MMA teammates in the mountain facility. “I’ve been very busy helping my friends.”